Lady Susan Hussey

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Happy Birthday to Lady Susan Hussey, Baroness Hussey of North Bradley! The fifth and youngest daughter of the 12th Earl and Countess Waldegrave, she is the sister of the 13th Earl Waldegrave and Lord Waldegrave of North Hill. In 1959, Lady Susan married Marmaduke Hussey, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the BBC who became Baron Hussey of North Bradley in 1996, and had two children.

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In 1960, she became the Queen’s Woman of the Bedchamber, initially employed to respond to letters after the birth of the Duke of York, and became one of the Queen’s most trusted Ladies-in-waiting with oversix decades of service. Lady Susan is also one of the godmothers of the Duke of Cambridge and was made a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) in the 2013 Birthday Honours, also joining the Queen in the car for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Funeral.

Following the Queen’s death, Lady Susan was made a ‘Lady of the Household’, while her daughter, the Hon. Lady Brooke, became a ‘Queen’s Companion’, though Lady Susan has stepped down from her post soon afterwards, after making “unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments” to Ngozi Fulani at a Reception at Buckingham Palace.

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“We take this incident extremely seriously and have investigated immediately to establish the full details. In this instance, unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments have been made. We have reached out to Ngozi Fulani on this matter, and are inviting her to discuss all elements of her experience in person if she wishes. In the meantime, the individual concerned would like to express her profound apologies for the hurt caused and has stepped aside from her honorary role with immediate effect. All members of the Household are being reminded of the diversity and inclusivity policies which they are required to uphold at all times.”

   

A meeting took place this morning, 16th December, at Buckingham Palace between Ms Ngozi Fulani, founder of Sistah Space, and Lady Susan Hussey to address the incident that took place at a Palace reception last month.

At this meeting, filled with warmth and understanding, Lady Susan offered her sincere apologies for the comments that were made and the distress they caused to Ms Fulani.

Lady Susan has pledged to deepen her awareness of the sensitivities involved and is grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the issues in this area.

Ms Fulani, who has unfairly received the most appalling torrent of abuse on social media and elsewhere, has accepted this apology and appreciates that no malice was intended.

The Royal Households will continue their focus on inclusion and diversity, with an enhanced programme of work which will extend knowledge and training programmes, examining what can be learnt from Sistah Space, and ensuring these reach all members of their communities.

Both Ms Fulani and Lady Susan ask now that they be left in peace to rebuild their lives in the wake of an immensely distressing period for them both.

They hope that their example shows a path to resolution can be found with kindness, co-operation and the condemnation of discrimination wherever it takes root.

It is the wish of both parties that, at the end of the UN’s 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, attention can now return to the important work of Sistah Space in supporting women affected by domestic abuse.

Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort and other members of the Royal Family have been kept fully informed and are pleased that both parties have reached this welcome outcome.

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5 thoughts on “Lady Susan Hussey

  1. She has been treated dreadfully by a manipulative and self-seeking woman. Lady Hussey should never have resigned and most of us think so. Much love to her x

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